Daily Times

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday arrived in Mashhad for an official visit, amid escalation of tensions between the United States and Iran, Radio Pakistan reported.

Qureshi was welcomed by Mashhad Governor General Khurasan-Razavi on his arrival. The foreign minister was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and other senior officials of the foreign ministry.

During his visit, Qureshi visited the shrine of Imam Reza (AS) where he prayed for the unity and solidarity of the Muslim Ummah.

During his visit to Tehran, the Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and exchange views on the evolving situation in the Middle East/Gulf region.

He will visit Riyadh on 13 January to hold talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and consult on the issues of regional peace and stability, the Foreign Office in a press release said. “The recent developments seriously endanger peace and security in an already volatile region and underscore the need for immediate and collective efforts for a peaceful resolution,” it added.

During these visits, the foreign minister will share Pakistan’s perspective on the current situation, stress the imperative of avoiding any conflict, underscore the importance of defusion of tensions, and stress the need for finding a diplomatic way forward. He will convey Pakistan’s readiness to support all efforts that facilitate resolution of differences and disputes through political and diplomatic means.

Meanwhile, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Sunday said Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s visit to Iran and Saudi Arabia is a clear evidence of Pakistan’s sincere efforts to de-escalate the current prevailing tensions in the Middle East and Gulf region.

In a tweet, she said the visit will help strengthen peace and stability in the Middle East and Gulf region. She said the foreign minister would discuss the current situation of ME during his meetings with his Iranian and Saudi counterparts Javad Zarif and Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. She said Qureshi will stress the need to end the regional conflicts amicably.

Dr Firdous said it is an honor for Pakistan that it is playing an active role for maintenance of peace in the region in larger interest of Muslim Ummah which has been also appreciated by the Islamic and Western countries. She said under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, bright image of Pakistan is emerging in the comity of nations.